Myths of Greece and Rome Narrated with Special Reference to Literature and Art

Page: 113

Theseus immediately obeyed. With a mighty effort he raised
the rock, and, to his great satisfaction, found the sword and sandals
in a perfect state of preservation. Sword in hand, he then
set out for Athens,—a long and dangerous journey. He proceeded
slowly and cautiously, for he knew that many dangers
lurked along his pathway, and that ere he reached his father’s
city he would have to encounter both giants and monsters, who
would strive to bar his way.

Periphetes.

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He was not at all mistaken in his previsions; for Trœzene was
scarcely lost to sight ere he came across the giant Periphetes,
son of Vulcan, who stood in the road and attacked
with a huge club, whose blows were generally fatal,
all who strove to pass. Adroitly evading the giant’s first onslaught,
Theseus plunged his sword deep into his huge side ere
he could renew the attack, and brought him lifeless to the ground.

Sinis.

Theseus then disarmed his fallen foe, and, retaining the club
for future use, continued his journey in peace, until he came to
the Isthmus of Corinth, where two adventures
awaited him. The first was with a cruel giant
named Sinis, nicknamed The Pine-bender, whose usual practice
was to bend some huge pine until its top touched the ground,
and call to any unsuspecting passer-by to seize it and lend him a
helping hand for a moment. Then, as soon as the innocent
stranger had complied with his request, he would suddenly let go
the pine, which, freed from his gigantic grasp, sprang back to its
upright position, and hurled the unfortunate traveler way up
in the air, to be dashed to pieces against the rocky mountain
side.

Theseus, who had already heard of the giant’s stratagem, skillfully
eluded the danger, and finally caused Sinis to perish by the
same cruel death which he had dealt out to so many others.

Sciron.

In one place the Isthmus of Corinth was exceedingly narrow,
and the only practicable pathway led along a rocky ledge,
guarded by a robber named Sciron, who forced
all who tried to pass him to wash his feet. While
the traveler was thus engaged, and knelt in the narrow pathway
to do his bidding, he would suddenly raise his foot, kick him
over the side, and hurl him down into the sea below, where a
huge tortoise was ever waiting with gaping jaws to devour the
victims.

Instead of yielding to Sciron’s exactions, Theseus drew his
sword, and by his determined bearing so terrified the robber,
that he offered him a free passage. This offer, however, did not
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satisfy Theseus, who said he would sheathe his sword only on
condition that Sciron performed for him the menial office he had
imposed upon so many others. Sciron dared not refuse, and
obeyed in fear and trembling; but he was doomed never to
molest any one again, for Theseus kicked him over the precipice,
into the breakers, where the tortoise feasted upon his remains
with as keen a relish as upon former victims.